Mr. Heiner Bieledfeldt, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion/Belief’s excerpt and Vietnam’s statement at HR council on Mar 10, 2015

Heiner Belefeldt

Defend The Defenders | Mar 12, 2015

Viet Nam, too, is home to a broad variety of religions that coexist in peace. Religious practices are possible and even encouraged in the country, provided they remain within the established channels. Most interlocutors agreed that the conditions have improved in recent decades, particularly if compared to the situation immediately after unification in 1975. However, the stipulations imposed on religious or belief communities, in order to operate in compliance with the law, are far-reaching and cumbersome, thus creating a rather restrictive atmosphere.

Religious or belief communities that insist on more autonomy vis-à-vis the authorities live in unsafe conditions and face systematic harassment and intimidation. I have seen clear evidence of human rights violations, including police raids, destruction of houses of worship, disruption of religious services, imprisonment and physical attacks, even incidents of torture, killing and other forms of persecution. Unfortunately, some of the people who had agreed to talk to me were physically barred from meeting me, being placed in situations of de facto house arrest. Other people whom I did meet were exposed to reprisals, in some cases even physical attacks, during my visit or immediately afterward. Moreover, the privacy of some conversations was violated. The situation escalated to such a degree that some planned meetings and discussions could not take place. This was in blatant violation of the terms of reference for country visits by Special Rapporteurs. I find these incidents all the more regrettable against the background of certain indicators of a careful opening up of the country.

** Statement of Vietnam delegation Viet_Nam_CC_ID_rel_19